Archbishop of Cardiff makes private visit to Rome

The Archbishop of Cardiff, The Most Reverend John Aloysius Ward, has a returned from a three-day private visit to Rome, from 4 to 6 May, where, at his own request he met with the Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. In a statement, Archbishop Ward said he had wanted to make this visit for sometime, but had been prevented from doing so because of his medical condition. Archbishop Ward said: "I was received most warmly by the Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. During our meeting I was able to express my concerns, and my total commitment to the priests and people of Cardiff. "The serenity and warmth of this visit is the context in which considerations of the future will take place. They will not be influenced by untruthful reports in the media." The Archbishop of Cardiff was accompanied on his visit to Rome by the Archbishop of Birmingham, The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols. Archbishop Ward added: "I am deeply grateful to Archbishop Nichols for his companionship during my visit to Rome. Archbishop Nichols said: "I have known Archbishop Ward for many years now and I was pleased to accompany him on this personal visit to Rome. The discussions we held were constructive and helpful."